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Changes of some serum parameters and amino acids content in rats after chronic sublethal doses of dimethoate
A A Hassan1, Y Minatogawa, T Hirai
1Department of Applied Medical Chemistry, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Abstract:
An intraperitoneal repeated dose of dimethoate (O,O-dimethyl S-[N-methylcarbamoyl methyl] phosphorodithioate) was injected to male Wistar rats for 8 successive days. Body weight and liver weight decreased significantly while liver/body weight ratio and mg protein/g liver remained unchanged. Twenty serum amino acids were assayed in blood samples collected from hepatic vein, portal vein, and aorta. Most of the measured amino acids showed a tendency of decrease compared to control. The decrease was significant only for taurine, serine, threonine, methionine, tyrosine, histidine, and arginine but not for the rest of the amino acids measured. Glucose, 3-hydroxybutyrate, urea, ammonia, and lactate were measured in the same serum samples. These serum parameters showed a tendency of decrease (except urea) of them from control but the decrease was not significant.
Insights
Repeated dimethoate exposure in rats caused significant decreases in body and liver weight. Several serum amino acids, including taurine and arginine, also significantly decreased, indicating potential metabolic disruption from this organophosphate pesticide.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Animal Studies
Background:
- Dimethoate is an organophosphate pesticide widely used in agriculture.
- Organophosphates are known neurotoxicants, but their systemic effects on metabolism require further investigation.
- Understanding the metabolic impact of dimethoate is crucial for assessing its overall toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of repeated intraperitoneal dimethoate administration on Wistar rats.
- To evaluate changes in body weight, liver weight, and serum biochemical parameters.
- To specifically analyze the impact on serum amino acid profiles and key metabolic intermediates.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of dimethoate for 8 days.
- Body weight and liver weight were recorded, and liver/body weight ratio was calculated.
- Serum samples from hepatic vein, portal vein, and aorta were analyzed for 20 amino acids, glucose, 3-hydroxybutyrate, urea, ammonia, and lactate.
Main Results:
- Significant decreases in body weight and liver weight were observed.
- The liver/body weight ratio and mg protein/g liver remained unchanged.
- Significant reductions in serum taurine, serine, threonine, methionine, tyrosine, histidine, and arginine were noted.
- A non-significant tendency towards decrease was observed for other measured amino acids and metabolic parameters (except urea).
Conclusions:
- Repeated dimethoate exposure induces significant body and liver weight loss in rats.
- Dimethoate administration alters serum amino acid profiles, with specific amino acids showing significant decreases.
- These findings suggest that dimethoate can disrupt amino acid metabolism and potentially impact overall metabolic homeostasis.